Pompeii Teacher Resources
The lost city of Pompeii lay at the base of Mount Vesuvius near modern day Naples, Italy. On August 24, AD 79, Pompeii, Stabaiae, Torre Annunziata, and surrounding communities were terrorized by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Pompeii was lost for 1500 years. Its rediscovery provided a detailed window into the Pax Roman era.
Social studies and World History classes can virtually tour other World Heritage Sites, or use this presentation to introduce volcanoes, and then spend some time learning about volcanoes with an activity modeling an eruption. A volcano unit reinforces learning.
If you want to stay within social studies, there are plenty of lessons, activities, presentations, and worksheets delving into The Culture of Pompeii. Grab learners’ attention with a short deductive reasoning worksheet. Once the class is engaged on the topic, move on to study the city of Pompeii, its people, geography, and culture by beginning with this lesson plan. (since much of it centers around writing a journal, it works well for both English and social studies).
Take some time to browse through the lessons, activities, videos, interactives, etc. centered around Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius.
Showing 99 resources
Mr. Nussbaum
Mt. Vesuvius and the Lost City of Pompeii
Mount Vesuvius and the lost city of Pompeii are the focus of an interactive reading practice designed to increase comprehension skills. Scholars read an informational text, then answer 10 questions.
Curated OER
In Old Pompeii
Students investigate the history of Pompeii and its destruction. They take a virtual field trip to the ruins of Pompeii, create a travel brochure to attract tourists to the site, and write an account of their trip.
National Geographic
Types of Volcanic Eruptions
Blow the roof off your classroom with this multimedia science lesson on volcanic eruptions. A short online video teaches young geologists about shield and composite volcanoes and explores the examples of Kilauea and Mt. Vesuvius,...
Curated OER
Culture of Pompeii
In need of a worksheet that focuses on the government and culture of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii? Here you'll find 16 questions related to the government, religion, society, and culture of Pompeii, prior to the eruption of Mr....
Curated OER
I Got a Lava Livin' to Do in Pompeii
Scholars imagine themselves as citizens of Pompeii in 79 AD. First they are assigned a job (or place in society like a child or slave). Then they record their daily activities for the weeks leading up to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in...
Curated OER
Paper Mosaics
Third graders read the story "Pompeii...Buried Alive." They locate Italy on a world map and define the term artifact. Students conduct an artifact dig on the playground. Students study the characteristics of mosaics and their...
Curated OER
The Ruins of Pompeii: A Window into History
Sixth graders research the history of Pompeii and its destruction. Locate important geographical features of Rome. Gain insight into the past through archaeological interpretation. Synthesize historical information through imaginative...
Curated OER
Correcting Paragraph Errors
For this advanced paragraph correction worksheet, students read a paragraph about Pompeii and identify, and correct grammatical and spelling errors. Students answer eight multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
Exploring Archaeology and Trade in the Middle School Latin Class
Students in a Latin class focus on archeology and trade from the Hellenistic period through the Middle Ages. In groups, they read various stages of a primary source documents in which they discuss and answer questions. To end the lesson,...
Curated OER
A Burning Desire to Move?
Young scholars consider the dangers of living around active volcanoes. They develop media campaigns to encourage different groups of residents around Mount Vesuvius to consider moving.
Curated OER
Enduring Influence: Rome, Greece, and Byzantium
Students explore ancient cultures. In this ancient history lesson, students view programs that depict the ancient Roman, Greek, and Byzantine cultures. Students consider how archaeologists, geologists, and scientists have uncovered the...
Curated OER
Geography: Ancient Rome
Students research Ancient Rome, the Mediterranean Region, Roman myths, and Latin. In this Roman life lesson, students study maps of the region, learn their language and customs, research the Punic wars, the catastrophe of Pompeii, and...
Curated OER
Ancient Greece Predicting Outcomes
Sixth graders explore world history by utilizing a SMART board. In this Greek history lesson, 6th graders read different Ancient Greece scenarios and match them with a selection from a list of probable outcomes. Students identify Mt....
Curated OER
Volcanoes: Mount Vesuvius
Pupils explain how volcanoes form. In this earth science lesson, students identify the different types of volcanoes. They create brochures about Mt. Vesuvius before and after the eruption.
Other
Italy Guides: Virtual Travel to Pompeii, Italy
Explore the city of Pompeii in this virtual tour. Houses, temples, baths, arches, and other structures are all on display. The history of Pompeii is explained, and each interactive structure is accompanied by a description. The different...
United Nations
Unesco: Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata
This World Heritage website looks at the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and wall paintings at Torre Annunziata, that were buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Found here are a description, news, maps, documentation,...
Google
Google Maps: Interactive Tour: Pompei
An interactive tour of the excavated remains of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
University of Virginia
Viewing Pompeii Today: Visual Resources
This virtual tour of the ruins of Pompeii features a clickable map, panoramic images, and detailed photographs of unearthed interiors that reveal 1st century C.E. Roman life. An essay discusses life in Pompeii and Roman urbanism in general.
US Geological Survey
Us Geological Survey: Mt. Vesuvius, Italy
Explore some useful information about Mt. Vesuvius of Italy.
Other
Herculaneum Conservation Project: Herculaneum Panoramas
A virtual tour of Herculaneum, one of the towns destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Click on the blue dots on the map, or the tabs on the left to access the virtual tour of the excavated site.
Vroma Project
V Roma Project: Sample Plan of a Roman House
This resource is a guide to the Roman house or villa. Click on the various rooms of the Roman house to find out what they are and how they were used. The house used is based on one found in Pompeii. This page was created by Barbara F....
Other
College of New Jersey: Mt. Vesuvius
Interesting site on Pompeii. The first graphic you see is the city of Pompeii. Includes information and graphics about the volcano.
Other
International Guide Dog Federation: History of Guide Dogs
This page from the International Guide Dog Federation explores the evolution of dogs as human companions, as well as the history of dogs as service animals. This resource also includes a timeline describing how dogs came to be used as...
Quia
Quia: Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii
Go on a scavenger hunt to find information about Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii. Find the answer to the provided questions using the links given on the site. Learn about volcanoes, Roman history, and the city of Pompeii.
